Spring 2024 Application Overview

Welcome to the application form for the College Choice Program, an initiative from NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), in partnership with The New York Foundling.

College Choice supports youth in foster care who are attending college full-time. The following benefits are available for students who meet the eligibility criteria. Please see the College Choice Program Summary Sheet for complete program details including eligibility requirements.

Program Benefits

Fostering College Success Initiative through the New York Foundling which offers Tutoring, Coaching, and Career Counseling.

Year-round housing costs covered by ACS for you to live:

On campus at your college/university, or
In a CUNY dorm or private dorm (for students attending schools in NYC or in online classes), or
In safe off-campus housing with a private landlord (students attending schools outside of NYC)

Tuition costs and related fees covered by ACS, after all eligible financial aid is applied.

$60/day stipend to cover the cost of food and other college living expenses, which students can receive while in school and for up to 6 months after graduating with a degree

Application Deadline

The Spring 2024 College Choice Program application will open on Wednesday, December, 6th 2023. Current College Choice Program participants as well as new students must complete the application form and submit all required documentation to be considered for the program. Please see the College Choice Program Timeline for application deadlines and other required due dates.

12/06/23 – Application opens
12/20/23 – Priority deadline for College Choice applications
1/10/24 – Final deadline for all College Choice applications (portal will close at midnight)

*The College Choice Program will be offering workshops/tutorials during the months of November, December, and January for students and foster care agencies who need assistance navigating the application portal

Required Documents

All students applying to the College Choice Program are required to provide the following documentation as part of their application:

College/university enrollment letter. See Samples HERE
Full-time course schedule for the upcoming semester. See Samples HERE
- If not full-time, student must submit a formal letter from the student’s college/university advisor that explains why the student is attending less than full-time
Up-to-date college transcript (for continuing college students) and transcript(s) from any previously attended college/university. See Samples HERE
- If not meeting the 2.0 GPA requirement, student must submit an Academic Success Plan developed with their college/university advisor that outlines tasks/steps they will take to improve academically
College of attendance academic calendar. See Samples HERE
Bursar bill with financial aid/awards applied. See Samples HERE
For students living in private off-campus housing, a signed lease with their landlord outlining terms and fees. See Samples HERE
For students applying for the 6 months post-graduation stipend, a copy of their final college transcript and diploma are required
Employment Letter. See Sample HERE

Sample Document Package

If you would like to see a sample documents package, please click here.

Please Note: Students are expected to resubmit their college/university enrollment letter on a regular basis. Due dates are provided in the document and students will be reminded each month. It is the student’s responsibility to remain up-to-date on deadlines.

Thank you for your interest in the College Choice Program! We look forward to reviewing your application! If you have any questions related to the program please reach out to [email protected]

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